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Good Friday The Solemn LiturgyThe Church is bare of all ornaments, candles, and decorations. The Sacred Ministers are vested in black, and the Passion Deacons wear black deacons’ stoles. This service is normally held at noon, but may be used in the evening, especially in communities where few people will be able to attend at noon. The Holy Eucharist is not celebrated on this day.

The ministers enter in silence. They prostrate themselves before the altar and pray silently for a space, the congregation kneeling. Then the Ministers rise, and the Celebrant begins the liturgy as follows:

Celebrant: Blessed be our God,Forever and ever. Amen.

Celebrant: Let us pray.
Almighty God, we pray you graciously to behold this your family, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed, and given into the hands of sinners, and to suffer death upon the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.Continue reading Good Friday→

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Maundy Thursday The Chrism Mass

On Maundy Thursday during the day is it appropriate for the bishop of the diocese to celebrate the Holy Eucharist in the cathedral and consecrate the holy oils to be used in the churches of the diocese during the coming year, and at the same time to hear the renewal of ordination vows of the priests and deacons of the diocese, as well as to renew the bishop’s own ordination vows. It is therefore appropriate for this Eucharist to be concelebrated by priests from all parts of the diocese. If there are suffragans, it may be convenient for them to have similar celebrations in other cities of the diocese, in order to allow more clergy and laity to participate.

The holy oils blessed at this service are Chrism, which is used for Confirmation, for the anointing of bishops, for the blessing of churches, altars, sacred vessels, and church bells, and, together with the Oil of Catechumens, for the blessing of fonts, the anointing of priests, and the coronation of the monarch (in countries ruled by a monarch); Oil of Catechumens, which is used for the anointing of baptismal candidates, and, with Chrism as indicated above; and Oil for the Sick. The Oil for the Sick is blessed after the Great Thanksgiving, but before the Lord’s Prayer; the other two oils after Communion, the Oil of Catechumens before the Post Communion Collect, the Chrism after it.

A table is set up in the chancel, and behind it the bishop’s chair. On the table are three vessels of oil, each covered with a silk cloth. The oil for Chrism is covered with a white cloth; the cloths covering the other oils may be of any colors. Also on the table is Balsam for the preparation of the Chrism. When the service is concluded, the oils are carried to the sacristy and distributed to the priests for use in churches during the coming year.

The order of entrance is as follows:
Thurifer and Boat-bearer
Crucifer and two Acolytes
Lay readers
Deacons
Priests
Deacon of the Mass on left; Assisting Priest on right
Canons of the Cathedral
Presiding Bishop

Note Bene: The People’s responses are in italics.

Processional Hymn:

Presiding Bishop: Let us begin all things as we should. Bless the Lord who forgiveth our sins.His Mercy will endure forever.

Presiding Bishop: Jesus Christ has made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Your love, O Lord, forever will I sing; from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.

Canon of the Cathedral: Collect: Almighty God, who by the power of the Holy Spirit anointed your Son to be Messiah and Priest forever: grant that all whom you call to his service may confess the faith of Christ crucified, proclaim his resurrection, and share with us in his eternal priesthood; who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.